Northampton Saints will be without their captain Dylan Hartley for the next two weeks through suspension.

The England hooker was cited for allegedly striking Ulster player Rory Best during last Friday's Heineken Cup game at Franklin's Gardens. Hartley pleaded guilty at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin today.

The judicial officer determined that the offence was at the low-end entry point of two weeks.

Hartley will miss the return Heineken Cup Pool 4 fixture in Belfast on Saturday, but will be available to play from December 24.

It has been confirmed that Northampton and England forward Dylan Hartley is to face a disciplinary hearing.

It comes after he was cited for striking Ulster forward Rory Best with his arm during a Heineken Cup Pool 4 match on Friday 7 December. The European Rugby Cup said that details of the hearing date will be announced shortly.